Legends & Fury Book 1: Stick Around by EM Lindsey

 

Legends & Fury Book 1

"Would you slap a teammate for twenty-five grand?"

"Uh, yeah. There are a few I'd slap for free. Just point me in the right direction."

Problem number one: My personal life is falling apart.

Problem number two: My public life is also on thin freaking ice.

Problem number three: The ridiculously hot NHL D-man with the inability to remove his head from his ass has decided I’m his number one target.

And that last one is a bit of an issue since his idea of targeting me is to have absurdly hot hate-hookups with me in the locker room. Which I don’t necessarily mind…

Except there’s one tiny snag in his plan: I don’t like guys.

Or, well, I didn’t think I liked guys.

But when Alexio Zeki drops to his knees and, uh, gets to business, I realize my very narrow view of my own sexuality needs some adjustment.

And that’s ironic coming from a blind man.

Admitting I’m bisexual is the easy part.

Admitting I’m kind of, sort of, ridiculously into the man I claimed to hate is something else entirely. But the more he insists that I’m worth keeping, the more I start wanting to believe him.

Stick Around is the first book in the Punk as Puck spin-off series, Legends and Fury. It’s a high heat, enemies to lovers rom-com with a snarky NHL goalie who has a lot of big opinions and doesn’t care if they’re unsolicited, a PPHL goalie with a mountain of problems and no way to reach the top, locker room hookups, praise, swoony romance, a low-stakes bi-awakening, hockey bro banter, tons of chirping, and the swooniest happily ever after.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242771267-stick-around

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Jonah is not having a good time lately and at the moment that stress is coming from his parents. Growing up in his house was rough. Him and his brother were born blind, and their other brother’s eyesight was just about nonexistent as well. Their father didn’t care about them, and their mother basically made their life a circus. And while they tried to cut ties, Jonah soon learns that his mother leaves the country and drops the bomb that his dad is sick and in need of care that she isn’t sticking around for. He can’t ask his brothers for help and with his job being a professional hockey player, things are getting to be a bit too much. Oh, then there is Alexio. The defenseman on the NHL team in Boston that shares the rink with Jonah’s team. Turns out him and his brother have been looking out for Jonah’s dad during his episodes and Alexio is convinced that Jonah is a terrible person for not taking care of his dad. But there is a lot more to that than Alexio knows. While their relationship starts off pretty rocky with the lack of knowing the other very, things slowly begin to change the more they find their paths crossing. And hate turns into a lot more when they push one another enough. Another thing to add to Jonah’s list of realizations, turns out he is bi. And he might just be falling for Alexio. Alexio can’t imagine abandoning his parents but he is slowly humbled when he realizes that he may not have the whole picture. Throw in the fact that he is realizing just how much he doesn’t know about the Jonah’s team and their disabilities. But it’s not too late to learn. Especially when he actually gets to know Jonah and explore the spark between them. Turns out, Jonah may be the thing Alexio has been waiting for. I loved these two! Such a great enemies to lovers story. Especially when you just wanted to shake Alexio in the beginning for being so judgy LOL. But I loved that he recognized how he was acting and wanted to learn and just be there for Jonah during a really hard time. Them falling for one another was this sweet slow romance that just got better and better as the story went on. We also got introduced to a bunch of new characters and visited a lot from the Punk as Puck series. I just cannot wait for the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wood Hollow Stories Book 1: This Guy by Lane Hayes

 

Wood Hollow Stories Book 1

The football star, the lumberjack, and a small-town love story…

Silas

Not to sound dramatic, but I can’t decide if I’m a hot mess, a has-been…or both.

My ex’s new relationship with an A-list celebrity is putting me in the spotlight at my lowest point, and I could use a break from LA—just for a little while.

But Vermont in the middle of a blizzard? Probably not a great idea. However, the sexy lumberjack who lives next door is a sweet surprise. And so are his kids and the town.

I like this place. I could be happy here…at least till my new season begins.

Cooper

The football star is an unexpected complication—and a breath of fresh air. Silas is funny, charismatic, and cool. My kids love having a celebrity living next door. And me? I can’t remember the last time I felt quite so alive.

My steady diet of work and carpooling is fine, and sure, I’m happy enough, but with Silas around, everything feels lighter and breezier.

Yes, I’m well aware this isn’t going anywhere. Our lives are just too different. 

Too bad ’cause this guy feels like the real thing.

This Guy is an MM bisexual, single dad, small-town romance featuring a football hero, a sexy lumberjack, and some neighbor-friendly shenanigans.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247892709-this-guy

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Silas is in desperate need of an escape. He just finished his last game as a NFL player and he isn’t sure what to do next. Is he truly done playing football? Then add in the never ending media circus that revolves around him and his ex and her new boyfriend. While he may be good friends with his ex, the media is relentless. And Silas has hit his limit. So when his friend offers Silas a getaway at his house on the lake in Vermont, he takes it. Though maybe not the best idea to go to Vermont in the winter. A lesson he learns quickly when a snowstorm hits him shortly after he arrives. However, lucky for him, his new neighbor is there to rescue him. Cooper could never imagined that the man he rescues in a snowstorm would be one he can’t truly let go of. What starts off as some fun becomes a lot more that neither are ready to name when Silas returns a few months after they first meet. But Cooper’s life isn’t easy. He shares custody of his two kids with his ex-wife and is running a business he hopes to take to the next level. But these two couldn’t stay away from one another even if they tried. So they’ll ignore the future for a bit and stay in the present. But it’s only a matter of time until they’ll have to decide if they are ready to take a risk with their hearts. Adored these two! The football player and lumberjack were a great match. Each giving the other what they needed when they didn’t even know what they needed to begin with. Their chemistry was great and I loved their banter. Also, if you are a fan of the Elmwood series, Wood Hollow is next door! So expect some name drops. A great start to this series and I can’t wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kingdoms of the Compass Book 1: Crown of War and Shadow by JR Ward

 

Kingdoms of the Compass Book 1

An outcast burdened with a curse and a mercenary who's out for himself collide in this star-crossed, slow-burn, high-stakes romantic fantasy

In the dead of night, passions rise and empires fall. 

Welcome to Kingdoms of the Compass.

The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world, stalking the night.

No one is safe.

Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast, she’s spent her whole life within the walls of her small village, ostracized for her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and maybe find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.

Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.

She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.

Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.

The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.

But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though passion runs hot between them, enemies are around every corner, and danger and betrayal threaten at every turn.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231127029-crown-of-war-and-shadow

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I’m a big JR Ward fan. I loved her Black Dagger Brotherhood series where we get vampires and romance. So when she announced she was doing some romantasy? I was all in. And she doesn’t disappoint! She creates a whole new world of kingdoms, magic, darkness, and an unlikely heroine. This is the start of what I think is going to be a very interesting series. Sorrel has been doing the one thing her mind has always told her to do: hide. She knows she needs to and she has no family of her own. An orphan and outcast who has this ability to see someone’s death the moment she looks them in the eyes. It’s a curse and yet she does as much good as she can in trying to heal those in need. But those around her do not appreciate who she is. And when they finally turn on her, she has no choice but to run. And she’ll need some help. She makes an unlikely deal with a mercenary who goes by Merc. Together, they start on a journey that bit by bit gives Sorrel the answers she desperately seeks but at the price of having to fulfill a bit of a prophecy. We got so many good twists in turns in this story. Especially at the end! I enjoyed seeing Sorrel becoming braver and more into the hero she is meant to be. Even when the answers she finds tells her otherwise. This was a great way to kick off the series and I can’t wait to see what comes next. 

Picture Perfect Mistake by Ana Ashley

 

Hook up with a stranger at a wedding? Check.

Discover he's my new boss? Double check.

Fall hopelessly in love with the grumpy CFO? Classic me.

Pierce Dellcourt is everything I'm controlled, composed, and absolutely off-limits.

I'm a chaos magnet, aspiring artist, and professional disaster.

We're completely wrong for each other. Except when we're alone and his icy control thaws into a passion that sets me on fire. Stolen kisses in empty offices. Secret moments on the roof garden. Near misses that only make us want more.

He's forbidden. I'm a liability. And falling for him might be the best mistake I've ever made.

Turns out, the best things in life start as picture perfect mistakes.

Picture Perfect Mistake is a standalone spicy MM romance grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, age gap, he falls first, only one bed (eventually), enough sticky notes to wallpaper an office, and a guaranteed HEA.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248212178-picture-perfect-mistake

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

If you have read the Spencer Brothers series then the names Pierce and Thatcher aka Meatball will definitely be familiar! Thatcher and Pierce first meet at Noah and Lior’s wedding. Thatcher is Noah’s cousin and Lior is Pierce’s ex and friend. Yet, the two of them find one another and it leads to them having stole moment of fun. Though they never exchange names. Months later, Thatcher finds himself at a new job working for Lior’s company. Thatcher is an artist and trying to make something of it but in the meantime, he needs a job. He is chaotically organized and artistic and that doesn’t always translate in the workplace. But he is determined to do a good job here and cause as little chaos as possible. But doesn’t exactly workout when he locks eyes with his new boss. The guy he has been thinking about for months and never got his name until now: Pierce. Pierce has been trying to make up for some crappy things he has done in the past. He lives his life pretty organized and strict. The craziest thing he has done recently was hooking up with a stranger at his ex’s wedding. And even months later, he can’t stop thinking about him. But he tells himself he has to stay focused on his work. But then comes Thatcher. Crashing into his life with lots of color and chaos and Pierce just can’t look away. Nothing can happen between them. Again. Their jobs won’t allow it. But the more they spend time together and get to know one another, the harder it is hold back. And both know deep down that this thing between them is inevitable and maybe just the thing they’ve both been searching for. I adored these two! They were absolutely perfect for one another. Bringing out exactly what the other needed in so many ways. They just worked together so well. And while Thatcher may be this chaotic artist, he is also super smart and knows exactly how to do his job. There are just so many sides to him. And I love that Pierce finally found someone who was just right for him and brought him back to life in so many ways. These two were so much fun to get to know. And of course cameos from the Spencer Brothers and their partners are a must! If you know them, you know exactly what they are gonna do! Great story all around! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Best Bros Forever Book 3: The Bro Arrangement by Charli Meadows

 

Best Bros Forever Book 2

Tate

Keep it casual, keep it fun, and most importantly, no strings attached. These are the rules I’ve lived by when it comes to hooking up, and let’s just say straight boys are my specialty. If I’m nothing more than an experiment, then there’s no chance I’ll get hurt.

The next curious boy to fall into my bed is none other than Spencer Hayes, finance bro and my best friend’s roommate. There’s no denying our chemistry is off the charts, and the constant flirting has felt like a year-long edging. It was seriously overdue. But one time isn’t enough, so we make an arrangement. Follow my rules this summer, and nothing is off-limits as long as we both consent.

If things get too intense and emotions become involved, I’m ready to jump ship because no one’s breaking through the walls surrounding my heart. I don’t do serious. Ever.

Spencer

My path in life has been paved for me, with no room for detours. Go to college, get a degree in finance, and follow in my dad’s footsteps with a boring office job, wife, and kids. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy crunching numbers, but I’ve always had bigger plans for myself than the family accounting firm. And I’ve always been curious about what it’s like to be with a man. I’ve just never taken it that far. Until Tate Sinclair. With his blond curls, painted nails, and that sexy, smart mouth.

Tension has been building between us for months, and when we finally give in and go back to my place after a wild party, it’s truly explosive.

I knew hooking up with Tate would be risky, but I didn’t know it would flip my world upside down and leave me craving more than just a physical connection. The more nonchalant he acts, the deeper the wound in my chest becomes, until I have no choice but to tell him how I feel. I’ve completely fallen for him, and I want more than some shallow arrangement. I want his heart and soul.

The Bro Arrangement is book three in the Best Bros Forever series, a collection of standalone contemporary gay romances. You can expect friends-with-benefits, bi-awakening, a size difference, and found family. This novel is intended for 18+ readers.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248668424-the-bro-arrangement

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Tate never wants to go through the heartbreak he experienced the first time he thought he fell in love. Being used and tossed aside is the last thing he ever wants to feel again. So he has a rule. No relationships. Hook ups only and no feelings whatsoever. But then he meets Spencer. And Tate knows he is in trouble. The chemistry between them is insane. And Spencer treats Tate like the princess he very much is. But can he truly overcome his fears? Spencer knows Tate has the power to change everything for him. Questioning if he was truly bisexual becomes answered the moment he lays eyes on Tate. And the first time they kiss? Spencer’s a goner. He agrees to Tate’s rules but he knows deep down that sticking to them is going to be the hardest thing. Not when the more time he spends with Tate the more he wants to be the man to give Tate everything he deserves. But will Tate give him a chance to prove it? Another great story in this series! These two had no chance of not falling for one another. They had great chemistry and a great friendship and if they are brave enough it could be so much more. I loved that Spencer was so patient with Tate and wasn’t afraid of his feelings. And Tate definitely deserved a man who treated him right after what he had gone through! Great story!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Toronto Thunder Book 3: Hell or High Water by Beth Bolden

 

Toronto Thunder Book 3

Come hell or high water, Nate’s gonna be Ramsey’s perfect (fake) boyfriend . . .

The night Nate Bishop met Ramsey Andresen, he didn’t know who he was.

Didn’t know he was a hockey player. Didn’t know he’d be sticking around in Toronto. Most definitely didn’t know they’d hook up and Ramsey would walk right out of his life. Leaving him aching for more and hating that he can’t forget him.

They meet again at a Thunder team party and Nate’s not only shocked by Ramsey’s presence, but the way he acts like he belongs. He’s gorgeous and perfect and unobtainable, his existence rubbing Nate’s face into everything he can’t have.

He knows his teammates aren’t happy they don’t get along. But the last thing Nate expects is for Ramsey to suggest a plan to get them off their backs.

Not a fake friendship, but a fake situationship.

As they spend more time together—at first a necessity because of the charade, and then because they can’t stay away from each other—Nate starts to learn more about Ramsey’s secrets.

And each shadowy corner that Nate shines light into makes him like Ramsey even more. Until like slides easily into love, and fake becomes something real. Something precious. When they shatter the illusion, can they face the reality that they want each other, completely and forever, after playing pretend for so long?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241993733-hell-or-high-water

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s finally Ramsey’s book!! Been waiting for his story since his appearances in the Portland Evergreen Hockey series. Took a bit, but it was the worth the wait for him to find his happy ending. Ramsey is always there for his friends. He is the most loyal guy and sees a lot more than anyone realizes. But he also tends to put on a mask. Never letting anyone get too close to him. Especially when it comes to love. He’ll never let himself be put in that situation. But then he meets Nate. And their first interaction is a surprise at not just the chemistry between them but the fact that Nate can see right past Ramsey’s well put together mask. And though the two of them may want different things, they somehow find themselves giving in for one night. But after when Ramsey realizes exactly who Nate is and that they share someone in common, he does what he does best. He runs and makes sure Nate won’t come after him. But that someone connection is Nate’s teammate, Wes, who is one of Ramsey’s closest friends. Seeing one another is inevitable. The minute Nate sees Ramsey at the bar next to Wes, things fall into place in his mind when it comes to Ramsey. But it still hurts to see Ramsey and know they can’t be more. Or can they? When their meddling friends get to be a little too much, Ramsey offers a fake relationship. One, Nate can’t resist even though he knows this has the potential to hurt him more than ever once it ends. Oh man, these two! You just wanted to shake them both and tell them to get together! While Nate was all for it, it was really Ramsey who needed to overcome his fears. And I loved how Nate was able to help him by just being there and letting Ramsey figure it out and be patient. These two were just so sweet, especially when they got out of their own way. Really loved their story and it’s just another great addition to this series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Into Darkness Book 2: Caught Up by Navessa Allen

 

Into Darkness Book 2

From the viral TikTok author of the stalker romcom, Lights Out, comes Navessa Allen’s second book in bestselling The Into Darkness Trilogy, upping the ante with voyeurism and play club kink.

“I wanted this woman, and I was a man who always got what he wanted.”

Nico “Junior” Trocci knows Lauren Marchetti is off limits. She is sweetness and laughter, whereas Junior exists in a world of violence and depravity. Men like him don’t get to have women like her. It’s why he pushed her away back in high school and kept his distance ever since.

But when Junior looks Lauren up online, he discovers the shy, bookish girl he remembers is gone. In her place is a strikingly beautiful woman whose social media is filled with scantily clad pictures of herself and a connection to a nearby play club. Junior’s innocent curiosity quickly turns into a dark obsession. Watching Lauren from a distance isn’t enough; he needs to make her his.

“He’s ruthless; a walking red flag. Good thing red is my favorite color.”

Lauren is intrigued by the mystery man who keeps showing up at her club, who tempts her white-hot desires. But as their flirty online messages stir up a deeper form of connection, Lauren worries she’s developing real feelings for this brooding stranger. As their combined desire ratchets up to a breaking point, who will seduce who?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220207768-caught-up

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Nic (aka Junior) has waited a decade to have a second chance with Lauren and he isn’t going to mess it up. Ten years ago, Nic distanced himself from Lauren in order to protect her. And as much as he wishes he could have saved her some pain and heartache when he walked away, he knew there were bigger monsters out there than the ones she was currently facing. And that she was strong enough to get through it on her own. But just because he distanced himself from her physically, didn’t mean he wasn’t keeping an eye out and being there for her through the years quietly and in the shadows. But the time has come for him to come into the light once more. He has plans to leave the mob his father has raised him in because while being with Lauren is the top thing he wants, he can also feel the things he does for his father, killing him bit by bit. But coming back into Lauren’s life isn’t easy. And just because she is speaking to him doesn’t mean she’ll trust him again. He’ll have to earn it. Lauren has never forgotten Nic even after everything that happened between them. But she finds herself wanting to be trust him again despite never giving second chances. And this time, she’ll learn all his secrets and truths. Because if she is gonna give her heart to the first boy she loved, then she needs to make sure he won’t break it again. I really enjoyed Lauren and Nic’s story! Though I definitely liked Josh and Aly’s story a lot more. Those two were just hilarious and I loved seeing them appear in this book as well. But I won’t lie and say I wasn’t curious about Junior after meeting him in the previous book. So I’m really glad he got his own story and we could get to know him more. And after this book, I’m definitely looking forward to reading Tyler’s story! Seems there is a lot more to him than first meets the eye!